Premier league

The owner of Newcastle United, Mike Ashley, has confirmed via a club statement that he wants to sell the Premier League club. In the statement, Ashley said the decision to sell was "in the best interests" of the club and its fans. Ashley also added that the incoming owner would be given "maximum possible flexibility to make meaningful investment" and that deferred payments would be possible. Ashley believes Newcastle are an attractive proposition given their Premier League status, successful head coach Rafa Benitez and 52,000 capacity stadium, St. James' Park, however, so far, he has received no offers. Ashley has tried unsuccessfully to sell the club on two previous occasions, in 2008 and 2009. Newcastle United returned to the Premier League this year after winning the Championship, England's second division, last season. … [Read more...] about Premier League club Newcastle United put up for sale

Leroy Sane scored his first league goal for Manchester City in their 2-1 win against Arsenal in the Premier League on Sunday. The German international delivered a sparkling performance and would have had more goals were it not for Petr Cech in the Arsenal goal. In a close and entertaining game, Sane's movement was excellent. The former Schalke player appeared to be in an offside position for his goal, but he nevertheless showed great composure to convert calmly in a one-on-one situation. Sane was brought off inside the final fifteen minutes for Jesus Navas. The 20-year-old has made 14 appearances for City since arriving in the summer for a reported sum of 50 million euros ($52 million), but a thigh injury prevented him from making an instant impact. City's players wore special "Gundogan 8" shirts as they entered the field at the Etihad Stadium in tribute to Germany international Ilkay Gundogan who is expected to miss several months of action. The midfielder sustained another … [Read more...] about Leroy Sane opens his Premier League account as Manchester City beat Arsenal

Leicester City were unable to win the English Premier League title on Sunday as the Foxes drew 1-1 with Manchester United at Old Trafford. It was the worst possible start for Leicester, as Manchester United took an early lead through Anthony Martial. The French striker was left free at the back post to score past Kasper Schmeichel following Antonio Valencia's low cross. The travelling fans were again in fine voice, and did not have long to wait before they were able to celebrate the equalizer. Club captain Wes Morgan was on hand to level the scores, as he headed home from Danny Drinkwater's free-kick past David De Gea. The score remained level until the break, with Leicester's dreams of winning the title at the Theatre of Dreams still well within reach. Champagne on ice Leicester's season has been built upon resolute defending and efficient attacking - the Foxes had lost just one of their last nine league games in which they have conceded first before Sunday's game and that … [Read more...] about Leicester City left to wait on Premier League title after draw at Manchester United

Jamie Vardy's 24th minute strike made him the first man to ever score in 11 consecutive Premier League games and the first to score in the same number of English top-flight games since Blackpool's Stan Mortensen in 1950-51. "Obviously I am delighted with the achievement, but the most important thing was the performance," said Vardy when speaking to Sky Sports. Vardy was asked to repeat what he said when celebrating, but replied saying "I don't think I can repeat that." Vardy's rise to fame has been a remarkable story, encapsulated this weekend by his latest record. In 2011 28-year old Vardy was playing in the English conference (the fifth division) for Fleetwood Town. In 2012 he signed for Leicester City in the English Championship (the second division) and in 2014, won promotion with the Foxes to the Premier League. In his first season in the English top-flight, Vardy scored five goals, but this season already has 14 goals in 14 matches. Vardy's goals in 11 consecutive matches … [Read more...] about Jamie Vardy breaks Premier League goalscoring record

Was it a team blessing by a buddhist monk, sent by the club's Thai owner Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha, that helped seal Leicester City's fortunes as winner of the English Premier League? Or was it good luck brought on by the city's connection to a Middle Ages-era English King, Richard III, which gave the side a remarkable boost this season? Richard's remains were reburied last year, just 1.6 kilometers (1 mile) from the club's ground, and just as the club's fortunes started to turn around. Those are just two of the theories that are doing the rounds following the "Foxes" spectacular achievement, which was confirmed on Monday evening when Spurs held London rivals Chelsea to a 2-all draw. The reaction to Leicester's title win led to a massive spike in traffic to social media from the UK. Fans and big names from the world of football, politics and showbusiness took to social media and the club's website to share their joy that a club whose squad cost just 69 million euros ($80 million) … [Read more...] about Fans celebrate Leicester City’s fairytale English Premier League title win

Leicester City have fired Claudio Ranieri, the man who guided them to their historic Premier League title. The Foxes were 5000-1 to win the Premier League at the start of their title-winning campaign last season, and produced one of the greatest fairytales in sporting history. But the Foxes have endured a woeful defence to their crown, dropping to 17th - just one point and one place above the Premier League relegation zone. The Italian was fired less than 24 hours after a 2-1 defeat by Sevilla in the Champions League. In a statement, Leicester said the board "reluctantly feels that a change of leadership, while admittedly painful, is necessary in the club's greatest interest." "This has been the most difficult decision we have had to make in nearly seven years since King Power took ownership of Leicester City," vice chairman Aiyawatt Srivaddhanaprabha said. "But we are duty-bound to put the club's long-term interests above all sense of personal sentiment, no matter how strong that … [Read more...] about Leicester City fire Premier League winning coach Claudio Ranieri

The Leicester City story reached its jubilant crescendo on Monday as thousands turned out to revel in the side's Premier League success. Leicester, who started the season as 5,000-1 outsiders to win the league, confounded pundits and fans by clinching the title. The achievement came as richer rivals such as Arsenal, Manchester City and Tottenham Hotspur fell by the wayside. The side, which spent a fraction of the amount on players as some of its rivals and which was nearly relegated last season, won the league by a clear 10 points . An estimated 100,000 fans packed the city streets to hail the side's stunning win, with Leicester coach Claudio Ranieri also there to soak up the celebrations. The club said it thought as many as a quarter-of-a-million people had turned out to celebrate. "The city is here. It's something special. I'm very glad," Ranieri told broadcaster Sky Sports. "This is because the team played with their soul and their hearts. The people understood this. "It's … [Read more...] about Leicester City parade Premier League trophy through city

The allegations came in a report published in this Sunday's edition of the "Sunday Times" and a documentary aired by German public broadcaster ARD. Both quoted London-based Dr. Mark Bonar as claiming to have prescribed banned drugs to 150 sports figures. Although no names were mentioned, Dr. Bonar was quoted as saying that he had prescribed doping substances to players with three Premier League clubs: Arsenal, Chelsea and Leicester City. All three have issued statements denying the allegations. "Leicester City Football Club is extremely disappointed that The Sunday Times has published unsubstantiated allegations referring to players from clubs including Leicester City when, on its own admission, it has insufficient evidence to support the claims," England's Premier League leaders Leicester said. "The claims The Sunday Times put to us are false and entirely without foundation," said Chelsea's statement, while Arsenal said it was "extremely disappointed by the publication of these … [Read more...] about UK doctor claims to have doped 150 athletes, including Premier League players

German football's leading clubs are planning a wholesale revolution of the German Cup and the distribution of TV revenue, with the aim of remaining competitive in international competition. Germany's top football clubs are looking over their shoulder as a new TV contract for the English Premier League, worth around three billion euros ($3.4 billion) per year, kicks in from the start of next season. By comparison, the Deutsche Fussball-Liga (DFL), the association which governs first and second division clubs, pulled in 708 million euros last year with 20 percent ring-fenced for 2.Bundesliga clubs. The Bundesliga's broadcasting rights are soon to be negotiated before the current deal runs out in 2017 and representatives of 16 Bundesliga clubs have come up with three suggestions, as published by "Bild." 1) TV will increase to one billion euros, leaving the second league with 20 percent. This is however unlikely. 2) TV money will rise to one billion euros per year, but money for … [Read more...] about Bundesliga clubs plan reforms amid concerns of Premier League dominance

Manchester United have sacked coach Louis van Gaal two days after he led them to a first FA Cup triumph in 12 years, the English Premier League side announced on Monday. "I would like to thank Louis and his staff for their excellent work in the past two years culminating in winning a record-equalling 12th FA Cup for the club (and securing him a title in four different countries)," United's executive vice chairman Ed Woodward said. "He has behaved with great professionalism and dignity throughout his time here. He leaves us with a legacy of having given several young players the confidence to show their ability on the highest stage. Everyone at the club wishes him all the best in the future." The curt club statement simply said that the Dutch manager's successor would be "announced soon." Portuguese star Jose Mourinho has been repeatedly linked with the post since losing the Chelsea job, while United legend Ryan Giggs waits in the wings as assistant manager. Although van Gaal … [Read more...] about Premier League: Manchester United let coach Louis van Gaal go